Conference Preview: CIML Iowa
The Teams (2016-17 record in parentheses)
Dowling (16-6): With the Preseason Player of the Year, senior point guard Sam Ingoli, at its disposal, Dowling will almost certainly be a threat to take home a division title this season. Down low there’s blue-chip defensive end (that’s football, of course) John Waggoner to handle business. And guys like Blake Clark, Sam McMurray and Joe Evans round out what should be a very good Maroons squad.
Fort Dodge (13-9): Solomon Clayton was one of the CIML’s best players last season, and he’s gone now, to Iowa Lakes CC — but little brother Malcolm Clayton is ready to take the reins. Malcolm will prove to be one of the state’s most effective point guards, and Jordan Jackson is a forwardsthat will be a junkyard dog for the Dodgers.
Johnston (18-6): Last season’s senior-laden squad lost a heart-breaker to Newton in a substate final, stymieing any state tourney dreams. This season’s new-look Dragons may not have the same expectations, but, gasp, may be just as successful. With maybe the best shooting duo in the state, Camden Vander Zwaag and Bo Sandquist, and one of the more underrated bigs in Iowa, Peyton Williams, this team could shock some people this season.
Marshalltown (3-19): Wins have been tough to come by lately in Bobcat country, but there could be a slight bump in success this season. We’re not saying they’ll compete for a conference title, but with 6’6 shooting guard Luke Appel back (he averaged 15.6 points per game last season), there’s reason for Marshalltown to be moderately optimistic.
Mason City (12-11): It will be a new-look Mohawks group this season. Last year it was point guard Kyle Lang who broke out and made his mark as one of the best point guards in Iowa. There’s some nice talent coming back; Jake Rood, Dylan Miller and Ben Pappas come to mind. Does Mason City have a new guy to breakout like Lang did last season; maybe sophomore Avery Mellman? We’ll see.
Urbandale (8-14): The J-Hawks might have a lot to be excited about this season, but there’s some bad news to: leading returning scorer, and all-out junkyard dog Eric Milewsky is out for the season (surgery). AJ Costello could be the breakout star in the conference though, and guys like Grant Garwood, Ben DeKruyf and Henry Drake bring back some valuable experience. The J-Hawks will be formidable.
Projected Order of Finish
- Dowling
- Johnston
- Urbandale
- Mason City
- Fort Dodge
- Marshalltown
Analysis: Sam Ingoli and John Waggoner make up a dynamic inside duo, so do Camden Vander Zwaag and Peyton Williams. Our point: it will be a close race between Johnston and Dowling this season. We feel like the Maroons may have a bit more depth, and 6’8 center John Wagoner (who has D2 offers), could be the X-factor for Dowling. Urbandale should improve improve upon its eight wins from season ago, and could be another surprise team in the conference.
Preseason Player of the Year: Sam Ingoli, Dowling (2018)
With great size and a high basketball IQ to pair, this 6’4 Maroons point guard should be in line for a monster season as the leader of Dowling. He’s got a Division I offer from North Dakota, and schools like Utah Valley State, Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota State are involved. Needless to say, this will be a big year for the heady floor general.
Biggest Sleeper: AJ Costello, Urbandale (2018)
At 6-foot-5 and with an ability to score down low and step out for the three ball, this senior forward will be a matchup nightmare for opponents this season. He averaged 5.3 points per game last season, and should see that number spike significantly this winter. And his 3-point production could increase dramatically, too; Costello attempted zero 3s last season, but we watched him can five straight at one point this past summer at the Urbandale Team Camp.